Go on strike at Vaal

Prospect Strike will make his debut for trainer Sean Tarry in Race 5 at the Vaal today, in a Graduation Plate over 1000m.

The three-year-old son of Toreador has not raced since finishing a 0.75-length second behind Rabada in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes over 1600m at Greyville on 1 August last year. In December trainer Dominic Zaki announced he was handing in his licence and Prospect Strike then moved to Tarry, who nominated the gelding for both the R1-million Betting World Gauteng Guineas over 1600m and the Grade 2 Hawaii Stakes over 1400m which are both run at Turffontein on Saturday 27 February.

“He hasn’t fluked a draw in either race so both options are not great,” said Tarry yesterday. “Unfortunately the Guineas’ declaration close tomorrow morning, a few hours before the race will be run so that still leaves us in a quandary.

“The programme is not exactly right for him and maybe we are starting off a bit late but we can still keep the KZN Guineas in mind later. However, there is only one Gauteng Guineas, you only get one shot at it and it is a R1-million race but it would be nice to have the luxury of having the run under his belt and then make the decision. Now we have to work on gut feel.”

Speaking about tomorrow’s run Tarry added. “He is a very short favourite on Thursday so one hopes he does win. He won his Maiden over 1200m and then ran at Scottsville over 1200m where he indicated he would need further. He won over 1400m after that and ran second over 1600m in the Grade 1. He is a decent horse and the bold will take the 3-10 over 1000m.

“This is a little like Legal Eagle’s comeback race. I’m looking for him to finish the race off well. I’m not sure if he has the pace to go with them over 1000m but he if is classy enough to beat them that’s great. But if somebody gets away from him and he runs a solid place I’m not going to be unhappy.”

Prospect Strike is the best weighted runner under the race conditions and the main opposition is likely to come from fillies who have raced mainly against their own sex. However, Seattle Lady and Silver Class have run against the best of their own sex, including the likes of Carry On Alice and Same Jurisdiction who have beaten the boys.

Second best could be Seattle Lady who ran very well against Buckland in a similar race, going down just 0.50 lengths over 1200m.